Letters Home from a Yankee Doughboy 1916-1919

This page is inspired by the comments of many readers who have visited Soldier’s Mail while on a quest to learn more about their own family heroes who served overseas in the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) during the early days of the 26th “Yankee” Division. Throughout the pages and postings on the Soldier’s Mail site, readers have been moved to leave a mark sharing what little they know about their own ancestors who served while also seeking further assistance, direction and information. The names of these men from the “Most Gallant Generation” are listed here in a living Honor Roll in order that they might still be remembered together today as they served together yesterday. All readers are invited to submit names to be added to the Page at any time. Please include Name, Rank, Unit, Serial # (if known), and any dates of wounds, commendations or other notes.

My great great grandfather is Ernest B Hale… dont know much about him. If you have any old pictures I would love to see his face. Also, I’m confused why my grandfather and 3 others do not have their position stated? Thanks.

On March 21, 2011 at 8:08 pm Wayne Sarf said:

My grandfather, Pvt. Michael Sarf, Co. D, 103rd Infantry, was also gassed in 1918. I have his Purple Heart, which I applied for during the 1980s, and a Victory Medal with three clasps as well.

On April 26, 2011 at 11:21 pm john e. steiner said:

Rich,
Thank you so much, my Grandfather started out with the YD and ended up in as a replcement depot in France where he was sent to the 26th infantry D company, 1st Division,(big red one) and had his eye shot out & was wounded on 10/2/1918.We are awaiting his Purple Heart and possibly other awards.Thanks for getting us started on this fantastic jorney! John

Richard
that is a darn shame i mean I have heard of people who had the tip of their pinky shot off and they got the Purple Heart, but my Grand Father whose life was shortened,who coughed and hacked daily and nightly with irreparable lung damage,and while in the deep trenches of France had his feet frozen in such a way he never was able to walk well again certainly never able to wear shoes as a normal person,then later they advanced on the Germans and pushed them into Germany it was during this he was gassed,thus if they had not advanced and pushed the enemy back who knows how the war would have ended and he and others would have never been gassed.

I want you to know my sickly and going on 81 year old Father rarely smiles these days but tonight when I showed him Grand Pa’s name on the Memorial site he became almost giddy.
Thank you Sir

Steven William Leak

On September 6, 2011 at 4:53 pm Susan Moore said:

Dear Richard,
My Grandfather, Arthur F. Boulanger, from Waterbury Conn., served with the Yankee Division, Co. A, 102 Infantry, in France. He enlisted April 26, 1917. Private Boulanger fought at the Battle of Chemin Des Dames. He was severely wounded in action on July 23, 1918 at the battle of Chateau Thierry. He received 3 gunshot wounds in the back and chest area of his body. The battle field was gassed with chlorine gas soon after he went down. His comrades came back to the battle field to retrieve the dead and found him alive. He was a recipient of the Purple Heart. He was released from duty February 4, 1919.
He lived a full and humble life in Waterbury Connecticut with one emphysema ridden lung. He never said a word about his service. He lived to be 72 years of age.
Susan Moore

The Statement of Service Card, may include army serial number (or NSN, if no serial number was issued). Age at enlistment. Date and place enlisted or inducted. Overseas services, and if wounded. Reason for discharge, e.g. demobilization. Date of discharge and type of discharge, e.g. honorable discharge.

Thanks so much for including my father’s photo on this page of your web site. I know he would have loved it and I am so proud of him for his service and for the great Dad that he was.

Lucie

On February 9, 2012 at 6:03 pm Ron Cook said:

Thank you for such a treasure of infomation. My grandfather served with the 103rd. I was lucky enough to hear many stories about the war from him. He also served in WWII. Would you please add him to the Roll of Remembrance. He was gassed on 7-17-18 and spent 130 days in hospitol. The following is from The Roster of Maine ect.

Question, He was overseas until 6-6-19. The 26th returned home in April. Any idea as to why he was not with them. I was able to view the Roster of Maine in the military service of the United States and allies in the World War 1917-1919 at the following web address:

As I have been doing some research on my Grandfather, Pvt. William Anderson formerly of New Britain,Ct,whose photo is also on this page,I reciently found his Dog Tags and with that information, wrote the Connecticut National Guard. They inturn sent me such wonderful information about him. As he was one of the original 26th Division men.They sent me a copy of his enlistment card. He enlisted 2/22/1917 though he was only 17, he lied about his age to get in. And the birth date shows the proof. He was born 3/10/1899, and the birthdate on the card states 3/10/1898. He was En.Pvt.,Co.I,1st REgt.Conn.Inf.,N.G. He was later called to service 3/26/1917, and then drafted 8/5/1917 and transfered to Co.I,102nd U.S. Inf.,R.S.O.152.
I also recieved 2 medal/medalions,two gold pins,and 2 bars of service from the state for his service in WWI.
What a wonderful find, now I want to apply for his Purple Heart, as the paperwork states he was severly wounded while in action 7/22/1918 and that I know for I saw the scares on his leg. It also states AEF 9/16/1917(do not know what this means) to 3/15/1919, and was Honorably discharged on 4/4/1919.

On March 20, 2012 at 1:47 pm Donna (Anderson) Blews said:

Also note, I have been reading about the 26 Division, and came to find that Camp Bartlette, A.K.A, Barnes Airport, is literally in my back yard.I mean over the fence an in my back yard!
As I live in Westfield, Massachusetts, where Camp Bartlette was located.
A memorial to this Camp and the 104th Infintry are 1/2 mile from my home. What a suprise!
National Guard is still here at Barnes.

On June 29, 2012 at 5:24 pm Donna (Anderson) Blews said:

Wonderful news! I just recieved in the mail after all my researching my Grandfather William Andersons, “Purple Heart” certificate, the medals will follow. Though his WWI records were burnt in the National Archive fire, due to the fact my Grandfather re enlisted from 1920-1921, where he was stationed in Mercedes,Texas between wars. William again re enlisted in 1944 for WWII in the Navy Reserve. In his enlistment paperwork is where I found mention of the two wounds he recieved in WWI.
The photo of William Anderson on this page where he is on a horse must be up graded. In that photo he is “Pvt.Sp 5th class Sup Train 4th Cavalry”
Also mentioned in the letters I recieved with the “Purple Heart” certificate, the Army also states my Grandfather will also recieve the following medals,WWI Victory Medal w/French Service Clasp for Champagne-Marne,Aisne-Marne,St.Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne clasps. WWI Victory Button-Silver, and a Lapel Button for Service Prior to 8 September 1939. This has been added to his reconstructed Official Personnel File.
Now I am working on getting him enstilled in the Purple Heart National center in Newburgh,NY.

On July 11, 2012 at 4:21 pm Donna (Anderson) Blews said:

After more research, I finally found the Mitlitary records for my second Grandfather. Henry E. Lambert. He was from New Hampshire.
Henry enlisted with the New Hampshire National on 4/2/1917 and was: Pvt.,Co L 1st Inf NH NG. He was then drafted into the U.S. Service 9/13/1917 and transfered to Co K 103 inf. Henry fought at the Battles of Champagne-Marne, Aisne-Marne, St. Mihiel, Muse Argonne,and the Defensive Sector. He was wounded in action: 10/4/1918 as well as gassed. He was part of the AEF from 9/12/1917 to 4/4/1919 and was honorably discharged on 4/28/1919. I have a photo of him in his WWI uniform and would like to see him on this page along with my other Grandfather, William Anderson.

On February 4, 2013 at 11:23 am RanceGillespie said:

Frank D.Gillespie pvt. was captured by the enemy April 20,1918 at Seicheprey, a member of Co.B 102 MG Bn. Held prisoner of war to Dec.6, 1918. he suffered the mustard & clorine gas results thru life as a disabled vet.23 men& 1 officer from Co.B, were captured that morning.Is there anyplace to get info on their time as prisoners? Prior to Activation in the 26th Y.D., he was with Tr.D, -1st Cav. Mass. NG, and served in Texas. Enlisted July 3, 1916 discharged april 29,1919. Your page has helped me trace my dad’s time in the service. I thank you.
Rance J . Gillespie

On February 15, 2013 at 8:43 am Donna (Anderson) Blews said:

Just thought this information would be of interest to anyone who is a direct desendant to someone who served in WWI. There is a geneology registry called “The Order of the First World War”. Anyone can enroll themselves with the registry so long as your desendant served in WWI.(This is a registry like “Sons & Daughters of the Revolution”). I registered myself, as I felt it was a fitting tribute to my 2 grandfathers; PVT William C. Anderson, and PVT 1st Class Henry E. Lambert, that their memory would live on not only here on “Soldiers Mail” but also thru the “Order of the First World War”. Also of interest, the “The Order of the First World War” is making available to anyone interested two commemoritive items: A Challenge coin, and a medal w/ribbon. These items are to commemorate the upcoming 100th Anniversary of WWI. They are great collector pieces. You can find them on their website….Donna

On April 13, 2013 at 10:25 pm Donna (Anderson) Blews said:

I reciently purchased a “Wound Chevron” on Ebay, which had been present to a Sherwood K. Martin. I researched his military information and would like to have his info added to “Soldiers Mail” Here is Sherwoods info:
Sherwood K. Martin
Dog Tag #: 65,184
originally from South Manchester,Ct.
Entered the National guard in South Manchester,Ct 6/29/16, into Co. G 1st Inf CNG. Drafted into Co G. 102nd Infantry to discharge. He was Pvt 1st Cl on5/24/17. Then Pvt 8/17/17. Mech 7/5/18. And again Pvt 1/15/19. Wounded in action slightly 10/9/18. Was part of the AEF 10/27/18 to 8/26/19, and recieved an Honorable Discharge 8/27/19.
Sherwood died after the war in 1927 at only 30 years old. May his memory live on here on “Soldiers Mail”. I would also like to send a photo of his “Wound Chevron” certificate so it can be posted here…Donna

On June 16, 2013 at 3:22 pm Steven F Norberg said:

My great uncle died on January 10th, 1964. He was 75. I was only 9 years old but, I still remember him well these 50 years later.
He was and is my hero. He was from Central Falls, Rhode Island. He served in France as an ambulance driver. I know very little of his service. I don’t know if he was ever wounded, gassed or injured in any way, but, I do know that he loved and served his country.

Cpl. George Joseph Brown
104th ambulance company
26th Division, USNG.

On June 16, 2013 at 3:25 pm Steven F Norberg said:

Please add to the above that Cpl. Brown was in CO.K

On August 29, 2013 at 1:59 pm Sylvia Johnson said:

My great uncle Pvt Alphonse Dumond was killed 17 July 1918. He was a member of the 26 Div 103 Regiment Company G

On August 30, 2013 at 6:21 pm Donna (Anderson) Blews said:

In the book I have on the 103rd Infantry, it states Private Alphonse Dumond of Company G was killed by shell fire on July 18, 1918. And that he had lived in Somersworth,NH…Donna

On November 28, 2013 at 6:23 pm Donna (Anderson) Blews said:

Great news! After much research I have finally recieved word that I will be recieving a replacement Purple Heart for my Grandfther Henry E. Lambert. He had served with the 103rd Infantry Co K. 26th Yankee division, AEF. I found his medical records for being “Gassed” while in the line of duty. He originaly came in contact with Mustard and phosgene gases while serving in the Defensive Sector in Sept. of 1918. He reported to Field Hospital 101 complaining of chest pains on 10/4/1918. He was admitted for observation and then sent back to duty. He was again admitted to the hospital and transfered to Bordeaux, France. At that time he now had double pneumonia,and again was admitted to the hospital. Upon returning home, in 1919 he was again admitted to the hospital at Camp Devens, Ayers, Mass. now with influenza. It was stated he collapsed while marching in the home- coming parade.
He had recieved the “PH” at some time while he was alive, but the family did not know this. I found this out when I visited his grave this year 2013, as the letters, “PH” were marked on his military grave marker. He is currently interred at the Purple Heart Hall of Honor, in Newberg,NY with his son Marcel E. Lambert forever together…Donna

On May 24, 2014 at 5:47 pm Tina Lockhead said:

Hopefully someone can help! My grand-uncle, Pvt Ernest Spaulding Long, 151st Depot Brigade, 76th Division in WWI is someone I am looking for more information about. I am hoping, really, that someone amongst the people who congregate here may know someone else who served with him. HIs wife, Alice Long, was my father’s aunt by blood. I have stumbled across a record of his headstone, which was not ordered until 1944 although he was released from service in January of 1919, I believe when the 151st was no longer needed. I am, sadly, woefully unawares of a lot of WWI history (but I am learning!), so if anyone can enlighten me as to anything at all that is relevant, I would be more than glad to receive the info! Thank you for any help. You can email me directly at rockqueenorlando@aol.com. And thank you to all whose names are already mentioned here, for your unfailing service to protect those of us who did not or can not do so ourselves.

On May 27, 2014 at 10:29 am Donna Blews said:

Hi Tina…I found Ernest Spaulding Long’s WWI draft record on Ancestry.com. The record states he was born 4/9/1897 in Middleton,Mass. I also found a copy of the request in 1943 by his wife for the military head stone on Ancestry.Com as well. the info on the card states he served with the 7th Compnahy 151st Depot Brigade but no Division was listed. It also stated the dates he enlisted and the dates he was Honorably discharged in 1919. It does state he stayed at Camp Devens, which is located in Ayers, Mass. Sence is apprears he enlisted in Massachusetts he would have served with the 26th Yankee Division. You can write the Massachusetts National Guard museum, they will have his records there, or you can write the Massachusetts REgional Veterans Association they will also have all his records as well, Both these organizations have websites you can google them…Donna

On January 5, 2015 at 10:27 am T.Fazzini said:

See “Yankee Magazine” book “The World Wars Remembered” two part story by Enoch Doble who served with 102nd MGD of 102nd Inf, ANd was a POW April 20, 1918